"Severe pain on my shoulder"

I had severe shoulder pain on my right shoulder.  Within a couple of weeks I had no movement in my arm at all. I hadn't slept for several nights as any time I lay down the pain was horrendous so I sat up through the night.  I was taking painkillers, given to me by the doctor, but these never touched the pain.  I contacted 111 as this was now Saturday around tea time and I couldn't wait until the Monday to contact a doctor again. I described the pain and the adviser asked me to go to Crosshouse Hospital in Ayrshire.

I was given an X-ray which showed a mass on my shoulder, I was given stronger pain killers, sickness tablets and my arm was put in a sling. I was given an appointment for the following week to go to the Orthopedics Dept. There I was given an ultra- sound scan on my shoulder, it showed that I had fluid and calcification and it was not clear where to give the steroid injection, therefore I was given an appointment for the following week.  When I went back I was getting an injection for pain relief but the fluid in my joint started to come out in the syringe.  This released the pain so much that it was decided not to give me the steroid injection at that time.  I went back within a few weeks to get my shoulder scanned again. This showed that the fluid had gone but the calcification was still there.  I was given a steroid injection. I went back again to have my shoulder checked.  My arm was far better and movement was almost back to normal. I was shown exercises to increase my movement.  Today, six weeks from my last appointment Gemma, who treated me throughout called to see how I was. I advised her that the exercises have worked along with all of the treatment and I feel so much better.

Gemma was professional and caring all through my treatment and after care.  I would also like to add that when I went to A & E on the Saturday I was in and back home between 7 pm and 10pm, three hours which was fantastic service.